Storefronts: Icon Tattoo Studio

Eric Apalategui/Special to The OregonianMelanie Nead, new owner of the relocated Icon Tattoo Studio, sketches with a pen before making permanent improvements to Laura Lazorski's existing dragon tattoo.What's new: In a profession dominated by men, female tattoo artists rule at the remade Icon, which in August moved into a sunlit storefront in North Portland's Eliot neighborhood. The studio still specializes in custom designs but now accepts walk-in clients and has added a retail selection of artistic merchandise such as jewelry and cards.

Where and when:813 N. Russell St.; open noon to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, noon to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays (closed Mondays)

Who's behind it: Melanie Nead, 28, earlier became a partner with founder Dustin Ranck and recently took over sole ownership in what she calls a "friendly takeover." Ranck still is a lead artist and the only man (besides an intern) among seven licensed artists. The woman's touch: "This shop doesn't feel masculine," said Nead, who has had female and male clients tell her: "This is the most relaxed I've ever been in a tattoo shop." The English professor unbound: Nead came to Icon as a client a decade ago. She now has seven tattoos, including two she did herself and the rest by fellow Icon artists. Following a "post-graduate freak-out" after earning an English degree at Lewis & Clark College, she found herself intrigued by tattooing.

Why tattoos? "It's one of the crafts where you're never truly a master at it," said Nead, who often creates nature themes. "You can always outdo yourself."

Tattoo taboos: Nead won't tattoo faces and gently steers customers from other ideas, such as young people who want their stomachs decorated but don't recognize how age (and perhaps pregnancy) may ruin the image.

Quoted: "I don't want (tattoos) to cover the body up. I want them to complement the body."

In other news

• In August, Michelle Lee unveiled a second Green Papaya in Portland, at 4835 S.W. Pomona St., with the same menu as her S.E. Martin Luther King Boulevard restaurant. A contemporary Vietnamese menu sometimes mixes with various Asian influences. Popular dishes include pho, a Vietnamese soup, and luc lac, a cubed beef tenderloin dish. 503-293-0700

• Pooches might want to find themselves in The Dog House, which Rich Heuser and Tanya Lee started in August. The canine business provides day care, boarding and washes; it also sells toys, leashes and houses at 3720 S.W. Moody Ave., in the South Waterfront area. 503-241-5905 or www.thedoghouseportland.com• Reno's Bar & Grill recently emerged from the former Brown's at 6526 S.E. Foster Road. Current owner Angelo Beorchia has expanded the menu to include a popular breaded pork loin sandwich, Friday and Sunday night barbecues and many global dishes. He is seeking approval to add nude dancing. 503-432-8256 or www.renosonfoster.com

• Former teacher Jennifer Green opened Green Bean Books at 1600 N.E. Alberta St. in July. The children's bookstore stocks new and used titles and fun items such as finger puppets and fake mustaches. 503-954-2354 or www.greenbeanbookspdx.com